Alliance & Leicester

I've had an A&L Internet current account for at least 5 years and have never had any problems whatsoever. It's very convenient and easy to manage via the website. I think some of the people complaining on here would have trouble managing any bank account.

Posted by (details private) at 10:59 on 02-Jan-2010

Terms and conditions are unrealistic, apparently they can change them without notifying you, over the top charges for unpaid bills, and very poor unknowledgable staff.

Posted by (details private) at 10:03 on 08-Jul-2009

They gave me wrong advice about which account qualified for their cash incentive. They offered to listen again to the recorded call in which they gave me the wrong information. Instead, they have sent me a standard letter, not mentioning the call they claim to have recorded, and just telling me I can't have the cash incentive. Lost £100!

Posted by (details private) at 19:06 on 07-Jul-2009

appalling customer service. Credit card scam : they debitted my bank account with a payment on March 26th, then took until March 30th to process it, one day late, giving the opportunity to assess late fees and interest. Didn't budge an inch when I complained. Were not surprised when they lost a customer of 15 years 5 minutes later.

Posted by (details private) at 16:31 on 11-Apr-2009

Banked with A&L online for 3 years now. Few complaints - better than the mainstream banks have treated me over the years. I'm not looking forward to the inevitable merging & branch closures over the next 5 years though thanks to Santander buy-out!

Posted by (details private) at 12:09 on 26-Nov-2008

have been a happy A&L visa card holder for many years until I took advantage of a 0% balance transfer offer. they now claim it is not possible to maintain a balance at 0% interest on a card that is in use. i paid a transfer fee for a facility that is effectively unuseable.

Posted by (details private) at 17:43 on 31-Oct-2008

I have been a customer of A & L for 5yrs and have been very happy with them. I am most disappointed that they are going to become Santander, but hope they keep the A & L name. The Customer Service is excellent. - Highly Recommended.

Posted by (details private) at 14:04 on 10-Oct-2008

Customer service is the worst I have ever seen. A standing order was taken out twice after it had been cancelled. It was impossible to speak to the same person each time I called (approximately 20 times at a charged rate). The issue took nearly 5 months to resolve and was extremely stressful and frustrating. The only redeeming factor was when I finally managed to find one employee in customer service whom I could contact and recontact. I would try my best to dissuade anyone from using this building society EVER, despite their good interest rates.

Posted by (details private) at 08:33 on 29-May-2008

I am very surprised at the negative ratings for A&L. I transferred my current account from First Direct only because A&L give good credit interest and make over £10 a month as a result. I have had no problems with them at all.

Posted by (details private) at 14:31 on 27-May-2008

I applied to open an eSaver account with Allience & Leicester and just can't get them to process the application. I've spent a long time on the phone to their helpdesk (not a freephone service), and they won't even put you through to the relevant dept (as they are too busy processing applications, suggesting that I make a fresh application, well that'll speed things up). I could go on but don't wish to bore you, just don't use them, they are inefficient and unprofessional - not a firm that you'd be best advised to invest your money with!

Posted by (details private) at 11:43 on 26-May-2008